In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

The next morning, Lin Haoran slept until eight o'clock before getting up.

After washing up, I first played with my son, and then had breakfast with Guo Xiaohan.

Looking at the newspapers, as expected, the news of Lin Yaoguang's one-month celebration is still the headline on the front page of major newspapers today.

The Ming Pao headline read: "Another momentous event for the Lam family: the baby boy's full moon celebration causes a sensation in Hong Kong."

The article listed in detail the political and business figures who attended the banquet, from Governor Edward Youde to representatives of major trading companies, filling an entire page.

Sing Tao Daily went even further, using a full-page headline: "Hong Kong's Little Prince Turns One Month Old, Half of Hong Kong Comes to Congratulate Him."

Lin Haoran looked at these reports, a helpless smile appearing on his lips.

These media outlets really treat his son as a source of traffic.

But it's good, the high exposure proves that Lin Haoran's current position is enough to make these people take him seriously.

After breakfast, Lin Haoran took a walk in the backyard with his son and Guo Xiaohan. He checked the time and it was already 9:20.

He stood up, straightened his clothes, and said to Guo Xiaohan, "I'm going to the Governor's Mansion. I probably won't be back for lunch."

Guo Xiaohan nodded: "Okay, be careful on the road."

Lin Haoran bent down and kissed her forehead, then kissed his son's little face, and then turned and left.

The motorcade slowly drove out of Shi Xun Road and headed towards the Governor's Mansion.

At 9:50 a.m., Lin Haoran's Rolls-Royce stopped precisely at the entrance of the Governor's Mansion.

Yu De's private secretary was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing Lin Haoran get out of the car, he immediately came forward to greet him.

"Mr. Lin, the Governor is waiting for you in his office. Please come with me."

Lin Haoran nodded and followed him into the governor's mansion.

He was quite familiar with the Governor's Mansion.

Back when Murray MacLehose was the Governor of Hong Kong, he was a frequent visitor here, coming almost once or twice a month to attend various banquets and parties, or to meet with MacLehose privately.

Mai Lihao valued him highly, and the two had a very close personal relationship.

Even after Meryl Streep stepped down and returned to the UK, the two maintained communication.

Now that Yud has taken over, although he is still the governor, the relationship still needs to be re-established.

After walking through the long corridor, I arrived at the door of an elegantly decorated office.

The secretary knocked gently on the door, then opened it: "Governor, Mr. Lin has arrived."

Yu De immediately stood up from behind his desk, his face beaming with smiles, and quickly stepped forward: "Mr. Lin, welcome, welcome!"

Lin Haoran extended his hand, shook hands with Youde, and said with a smile, "Sir Youde, it's an honor to meet you."

Youde laughed heartily: "Mr. Lin, you're too kind. Please have a seat."

The two sat down on the sofa, and the secretary served them hot coffee before leaving.

Lin Haoran looked at the new governor in front of him with some emotion.

He knew, in fact, that the governor was not long for this man.

He wasn't very familiar with Governor Youde, but he had a general understanding of the governor from relevant information from his previous life.

As expected, Governor Youde died of a sudden heart attack four years later, in December 1986, while leading a delegation to visit Beijing.

Governor Youde was the only governor in Hong Kong's history to die in office.

However, although Lin Haoran knew these things, he could not say them out loud.

"Mr. Lin?" Youde called softly when he saw Lin Haoran looking lost in thought.

Lin Haoran snapped out of his reverie and smiled, "Sorry, I was just thinking about some things that happened when I worked with Mr. Mak Lei Ho in Hong Kong."

Yu De looked at Lin Haoran with admiration in his eyes: "Mr. Lin, it seems that you are also a person who values ​​loyalty and friendship. I have long heard Mr. Mai Lihao say that your friendship with him is very deep. It seems that it is really as he said!"
Yesterday's one-month celebration for my young master was truly an unprecedented event. In all my months in Hong Kong, this was the first time I'd seen so many political and business elites gathered together.

Lin Haoran smiled and said, "Sir Youde, you flatter me. It's all thanks to everyone's kindness."

Youde waved his hand: "Mr. Lin is too modest. With your current status, who in the entire Hong Kong would dare not give you face?"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Youde gradually got down to business.

"Mr. Lin, the main reason we invited you here today is to hear your views on the future development of Hong Kong."

Lin Haoran chuckled inwardly, thinking to himself, "Just as I expected."

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and then said, "Sir Youde, would you like to hear the truth or a lie?"

Yud was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "Of course it's the truth."

Lin Haoran nodded, put down his coffee cup, and said seriously, "Alright, I'll get straight to the point. The future of Hong Kong depends on two words: stability."

“Stable?” Yud repeated thoughtfully.

“Yes, stable.” Lin Haoran leaned back on the sofa, his tone calm but firm. “Sir Youde, although you have only been in Hong Kong for a short time, Mr. Merrihau must have discussed this with you.”

What has enabled Hong Kong to achieve its current prosperity? It is a free market, a sound legal system, and stable expectations.

Yud listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

Lin Haoran continued, "Whether they are British, Chinese, or businessmen of other nationalities, the reason why they are willing to invest in Hong Kong is because it can provide them with stable returns."

Once stability is compromised, capital will flow out, the economy will decline, and the damage will extend far beyond just one group.

Yude pondered for a moment, then said, "Mr. Lin makes a good point. So, how do you think we can maintain this stability?"

Lin Haoran smiled and said, "This is a question that I, as a businessman, cannot answer. Stability requires the joint efforts of all parties, including the Hong Kong government, the business community, and other sectors."

Youde sensed the reservation in his words, sat up straighter, and continued seriously, "Mr. Lin, to be honest, besides wanting to hear your views on the future of Hong Kong, I also have a favor to ask of you."

Lin Haoran's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm: "Sir Youde, please speak."

After carefully considering his words, Youde slowly said, "Margaret Thatcher is about to visit Beijing to discuss the Hong Kong issue with the mainland. This is a crucial negotiation, concerning the future of Hong Kong and the interests of everyone present."

As a recognized business leader in Hong Kong, your attitude has a significant impact on the outcome of the negotiations.

Lin Haoran was not surprised to hear this; it was within his expectations.

Previously, Mak had been trying to get him to take sides, and had repeatedly suggested in meetings that Lin Haoran become a British citizen, and even invited the Queen of England to personally officiate at his wedding.

However, Lin Haoran has always cleverly avoided this question.

He neither explicitly refused nor readily accepted, but instead used an ambiguous attitude to keep Merrihau hopeful.

Now, Yud has made a similar request.

These British people are really persistent!
However, this is actually normal. Hong Kong is still under British colonial jurisdiction, and Lin Haoran is the absolute leader of Hong Kong's business community. His attitude is naturally of great importance.

Seeing that Lin Haoran did not answer immediately, Youde added, "Mr. Lin, I know you have always been low-key and unwilling to get involved in politics, but this time is different. The future of Hong Kong is on everyone's mind."

Your opinions and support will be of great reference value and help to Margaret Thatcher's negotiation strategy.

Lin Haoran chuckled inwardly.

Is it of reference value?
To put it bluntly, they wanted him to express his support for Britain, thus increasing the British's bargaining power.

He picked up his coffee cup, took a small sip, and then put it down, still wearing a gentle smile on his face.

“Sir Youde, I understand what you mean, but things in the business world are sometimes not so simple.”

Yu De paused slightly, "What does Mr. Lin mean?"

Lin Haoran sighed, his tone becoming sincere: "Sir Youde, as you know, the business community in Hong Kong is not monolithic. There is British capital, Chinese capital, local capital, and international capital."

Everyone has different interests and different ideas. Although I am known as the richest man in Hong Kong, I cannot represent everyone.

Yud nodded in understanding.

Lin Haoran continued, "Besides, what we business people fear most is getting involved in politics. Politics is unpredictable, and I just want to stay far away from it."

I think Mr. Youde should also know that I have invested a lot of money in mainland China. We businessmen seek stability and long-term gains, not short-term gains or losses.

Although Lin Haoran didn't say it outright, his meaning was quite clear: he has a lot of investments in mainland China, and if he were to take sides like this, it would be tantamount to offending the mainland.

Yud looked at him thoughtfully.

Lin Haoran smiled and changed the subject: "Of course, as a member of Hong Kong, we naturally hope that Hong Kong will get better and better."

No matter how the future changes, as long as Hong Kong remains prosperous and stable, we business people are willing to continue investing here and contributing to Hong Kong's development.

Youde understood the implication in his words: he was willing to support Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, but unwilling to take a clear side.

This answer offended neither the British nor the Chinese, and was perfectly watertight.

Yude sighed inwardly. This young man was indeed as Mailey had said. It would be difficult to completely win him over to Britain!
Even after inviting the Queen of England to Hong Kong to officiate the wedding, Lin Haoran still couldn't give a clear answer.

Now that he, Youde, has only just taken office, how could he possibly let this young Hong Kong tycoon easily take sides? Youde smiled bitterly to himself, but maintained his smile on his face.

“I’ve taken Mr. Lin’s words to heart,” Youde said with a smile. “In any case, I feel much more at ease with your words. At least I know that Hong Kong’s business leaders hope that Hong Kong will maintain its prosperity and stability.”

Lin Haoran smiled and waved his hand: "Sir Youde, you are too kind. The future of Hong Kong requires everyone's joint efforts. As long as it is beneficial to Hong Kong, I will definitely give my full support."

The two chatted for a while longer, and the atmosphere became even more harmonious than before.

Youde asked some more questions about Hong Kong's economy, and Lin Haoran answered them one by one, with clear thinking and unique insights, which made Youde nod frequently.

Two hours have passed before we knew it.

Lin Haoran glanced at his watch and smiled, "Sir Youde, it's getting late, I won't disturb your work any longer."

Youde quickly stood up: "Mr. Lin, you are too kind. I have benefited greatly from talking with you today. I will have the opportunity to learn more from you in the future."

Lin Haoran smiled and said, "Sir Youde, you flatter me. You are welcome to come to me anytime."

The two shook hands and said goodbye. Youde personally escorted Lin Haoran to the office door and watched him leave.

As he walked out of the governor's mansion, Lin Haoran looked up at the sky.

The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was cloudless.

Today's conversation went pretty much as he had expected.

Like Merrihau, Yudl wanted to win him over further and get him to completely side with Britain, but he couldn't possibly get on that ship.

He was well aware that Hong Kong's return to China was an inevitable trend.

But he wouldn't be foolish enough to say "the return is an inevitable trend" in front of the British Governor.

That would not only be foolish, but would also immediately offend the British and Hong Kong governments, bringing unnecessary trouble upon oneself.

Therefore, he chose the safest answer, only talking about stability and not politics, while hinting at his investments in the mainland, indicating that he could not completely side with either side.

In this way, even though the Governor-General's Office was very dissatisfied with his statement, there was nothing they could do.

After all, the Governor's Office didn't actually dare to offend him.

Otherwise, if he were to completely side with the mainland, that would be the last thing the Governor-General's Office wanted to see.

Today, Lin Haoran is no longer an ordinary Hong Kong businessman, but has become an international business tycoon.

Hong Kong's commerce is merely a part of the other side's industry.

If you really push the other party too far, they can sell their assets and go to the United States, Singapore, or other places.

This would only exacerbate the capital outflow from Hong Kong and lead to economic recession, which is the last thing the Governor's Office wants to see.

Therefore, even though Yude was disappointed, he could only accept Lin Haoran's ambiguous answer.

Lin Haoran was fully aware of this.

That's the benefit of strength.

When you are strong enough, others will adapt to you instead of you adapting to them.

"Boss, are we going to Kwun Tong or back to Hong Lok Building?" Li Weidong asked, turning his head as he sat in the back seat of the Rolls-Royce.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Haoran said, "Wait a minute, let me make a call and ask where Uncle He is."

After saying that, he took his mobile phone and made a call to He Shanheng.

Today's visit to Governor Youde reminded him that the real property crisis in Hong Kong is not far off.

The moment the Iron Lady fell, it meant that Hong Kong people's confidence in the future plummeted to rock bottom.

What followed was a real estate downturn that lasted for several years.

Housing prices plummeted, land prices were halved, and countless small and medium-sized real estate developers went bankrupt.

Even large real estate companies have to tighten their belts to make ends meet.

Last time, due to the meddling of Forbes magazine, the Carnegie Group collapsed ahead of schedule, which led to the premature outbreak of the Hong Kong real estate crisis.

However, with the support of the Governor's Office and Lam Ho-yin, the Hong Kong Financial Stability, Real Estate Recovery and Revitalization Fund was officially established, acquiring a large number of core industries at low prices.

The revival fund's bailout, while failing to restore Hong Kong property prices to their previous peak, has at least halted the decline.

But Lin Haoran knew that the upcoming real estate crisis was the real crisis, unlike the previous one, which was only temporary.

The next crisis will be one that he won't be able to handle.

After all, when Margaret Thatcher fell on the steps of the Great Hall of the People, she shattered Hong Kong's confidence in the future.

Once confidence is lost, rebuilding it is incredibly difficult.

Lin Haoran clearly remembers his past life's history.

On September 24, 1982, Margaret Thatcher stepped out of the Great Hall of the People, looking dazed, and tripped on the steps.

That fall was broadcast around the world on television.

From that day on, Hong Kong's property market began a two-year-long plunge.

House prices plummeted like a house being thrown off a building, leaving countless families with negative equity overnight.

Small and medium-sized real estate developers are going bankrupt en masse, and even large real estate companies are struggling to stay afloat.

The call was quickly connected, and the other party was He Shanheng, the chairman of Hengsheng Group.

The Revival Fund is now managed by a professional management committee led by Hengsheng Group, which has hired top experts.

In fact, the Revival Fund is managed by Ho Sin-hang.

"Haoran, why aren't you home with your newborn son today? Why are you calling this old man instead?" He Shanheng's hearty laughter came from the other end of the phone.

Lin Haoran smiled and said, "I have something important to tell you. Where are you? I'll come find you!"

Upon hearing this, He Shanheng replied directly, "I just left the Kang Le Building an hour ago, and I'm currently at the Heng Sheng Bank headquarters building handling some work with the Heng Sheng Bank general manager."

Hengsheng Bank and Hengsheng Group are different entities. Hengsheng Group manages Hengsheng Bank, Bank of East Asia, Dao Heng Bank, and Huifeng Bank, with its headquarters located in the Hong Le Building. All four of its banks have their own headquarters buildings in Central.

Lin Haoran smiled and said, "Then I'll come find you now, I'll be there in about twenty minutes."

He Shanheng replied, "Okay, I'll wait for you."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Haoran said to Li Weidong, "Go to the Hengsheng Bank headquarters building."

The car slowly started and drove away from the Governor's House, heading towards Central.

Lin Haoran leaned back in his seat, watching the street scenes rushing past the window, but his mind was already thinking about the next move.

A real estate downturn is coming, and he needs to prepare in advance.

Hongkong Land, his largest real estate group, will definitely continue to expand its presence.

However, one should not overdo the planning.

After all, Hongkong Land is ultimately his private company, and if he goes too far in purchasing property, the relevant departments of the Governor's Office will stop him for various reasons.

Therefore, it's better to focus on the revitalization fund.

He owns 91.6% of the Renaissance Fund, with the remainder jointly funded by Standard Chartered, Swire, Cheung Kong Holdings, and others.

Therefore, the Renaissance Fund can essentially be considered his private treasury.

Although nominally an independent fund, he actually has absolute control over it.

If managed properly, the recovery fund could be used to continue acquiring high-quality assets that were being panic-sold during this real estate crisis.

Moreover, the Revival Fund is unique in nature, as it was established under the leadership of the Governor's Office and would not cause too much political backlash. Other major conglomerates in Hong Kong also participated in it.

Even if someone is envious, they can't find anything wrong with it.

A slight smile appeared on Lin Haoran's lips.

Such opportunities are rare.

He needs to make the most of this opportunity.

Since he intends to make Hong Kong his long-term territory, then the city must be under his control.

It's not political control, but economic control.

When the city's most core assets are in his hands, no matter who manages the city in the future, they will all be connected to Lin Haoran.

This is what it truly means to be invincible.

Lin Haoran snapped out of his thoughts; the car had already come to a smooth stop in front of the Hengsheng Bank headquarters building. (End of Chapter)